Time-lapse: Painting People of the NYC Subway
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I’m a bit of a people watcher. {Maybe you’ve noticed my favorite subject to paint is people.} I’m always soaking up the faces around me and looking for an image to paint. You can’t find a better place for such an activity than the NYC subway if just for the sheer volume of people. Not only that, but you get a delicious variety. The only problem is trying to get decent photos of people without seeming creepy.
[bctt tweet=”Artist problems: I’m not being creepy; I’m just trying to photograph you.”]
When I saw this Asian girl get on, I knew I had to capture her. She sat across from me and stared at the ceiling the entire way to her stop probably trying to ignore what a weirdo I was being. But I captured the shot and learned a lot painting her. I still don’t have a title for this piece.
{There were so many interesting people to watch, I think I’ll start a series of paintings of people just on the subway.}
COLORS ON MY PALETTE (all Lukas Berlin brand)
- Titanium White
- Naples Yellow
- Yellow Ochre
- Primary Red (a very pinkish red similar to Permanent Rose)
- Cobalt Blue Light
- Cassell Earth (a purplish brown)
- Burnt Umber
UNDERPAINTING
I decided on an underpainting, not for any particular reason other than I hadn’t done it in a while. I used the burnt umber with my favorite thinner, Gamsol, to create the sketch of her head and features. I toned the rest of the board with a mix of cobalt and burnt umber.
THE COLOR MIX
- SKIN BASE: Titanium white, Naples Yellow, primary red
- TO DARKEN: Cassell earth and burnt umber
This was also my first attempt at Asian skin tone (and firsts can be intimidating). I knew I needed to add extra yellow to my usual skin tone mix which consists of Naples yellow, permanent rose, and white with a little permanent blue to tone it down. In fact, the Naples yellow wasn’t cutting it so I had to whip out my yellow ochre. Several times in the video you’ll see the skin tone going from too yellow to too pink, but I think I finally managed to capture the right balance.
2019
Beautiful! And she’s lovely. I enjoyed watching the video. I know nothing of painting or drawing, can barely make stick people, so it was helpful to watch you work.
Awh! Thanks, Robin. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. One of these days I’m going to include a “talk-through” track.
I really enjoyed that as well. You should consider adding some music next time.
Thanks! I did add music, but forgot to switch out the video! Thanks for reminding to clean up some of these pages. All fixed now.
That was so fun to watch! And your finished painting is lovely.
I’m surprised too at how fun they are to watch. Glad you enjoyed it!